Aboard the Pioneer, Osiris received a confirmation message from the Death World base: the aesthetic modifications for the fifty Skitarii soldiers and Tech-Priest Calvin-77 had been finalized, and they were standing by for transmission. Simultaneously, the concise code of conduct, interaction protocols, and an identification marking scheme aligned with RDA standards for this "Pandora Security Vanguard" had been fully prepared.
A few days later, at the pre-calculated coordinates on the edge of the Pandora system, the eerie blue light of a dimensional corridor flared briefly. A cleanly designed transport vessel bearing no markings emerged, descending toward the planet's atmosphere.
The ship touched down on a temporary landing pad near the Pioneer mobile base. The boarding ramp lowered, and fifty soldiers clad in rugged, charcoal-grey power armor marched out in perfect formation, led by Tech-Priest Calvin-77.
Their power armor featured stark, hard lines and heavy reinforcement at the joints. Their pauldrons and cuirasses bore simplified geometric markings, presenting a solid, utilitarian appearance. The helmet visors were darkly tinted, completely obscuring any internal structure. Exposed weapon interfaces and equipment hardpoints looked distinctly industrial, devoid of superfluous ornamentation. The overall impression was indeed that of an elite unit from a technologically advanced civilization that prioritized practicality.
Calvin-77 walked at the head of the formation. Clad in red robes, he carried a tactical backpack-style apparatus, and a wide pair of goggles rested across his face, their lens edges flashing with minute data streams. He held a slate terminal in his hand, his stride firm and measured.
Osiris (the second avatar) and several members of Vance's squad were present to receive them. Vance sized up the incoming detachment and nodded, "Looks the part. Their gear is a hell of a lot more uniform than what we originally dragged out of Night City."
"They are here to fulfill a formal contract; their image must be professional," Osiris stated simply, then stepped toward Calvin-77.
"Tech-Priest Calvin-77, reporting for duty," Calvin-77's voice had been modulated into a steady baritone. It retained an appropriate synthesized electronic texture, but it lacked the metallic, grating friction characteristic of traditional Tech-Priests.
"Welcome to Pandora," Osiris said. "The mission brief has been transmitted to you. Your primary responsibility is to coordinate this security squad's technical interfacing and equipment maintenance with the RDA, and to serve as our daily liaison officer with the RDA in this sector. Simultaneously, gather all technical and environmental data within the zone."
"Understood. Mission parameters received. I will ensure the squad operates with maximum efficiency and fulfill the data collection directive," Calvin-77 replied.
"Vance," Osiris turned to Vance, "have you and Dorio familiarize them with the base perimeter, then share the defensive layout map of the Southern Flank refinery provided by the RDA. Priest Calvin needs to understand every detail."
"Leave it to us," Vance acknowledged.
The newly arrived security squad was swiftly quartered within the base's expanded hab-zone. They exhibited no anomalies whatsoever, adhering to a disciplined routine as they conducted adaptability training and inspected their gear. Meanwhile, Calvin-77 immersed himself in analyzing the facility schematics and defense system protocols provided by the RDA, beginning compatibility testing between their proprietary detection apparatuses and the local network.
A few days later, the RDA Board of Directors formally approved the pilot security outsourcing contract with the "Seekers of Knowledge." The scope of the contract, liability clauses, fee payment cycles, and oversight mechanisms had been subject to relentless back-and-forth negotiation, but the document was ultimately executed. Though Colonel Quaritch was reluctant, he carried out the procedures under pressure from the Board and persuasion from Parker.
Hell's Gate base dispatched a tilt-rotor transport and several representatives from the RDA security department to handle the handover and initial coordination.
In the Southern Flank refinery sector, a portion of the defending RDA garrison began an orderly withdrawal, transferring control over primary defense towers, sensor arrays, and patrol route maps to the newly arrived "Seekers of Knowledge" security squad.
Calvin-77 led his squad members in meticulously taking custody of the various installations. They inspected equipment, adjusted sensor parameters, deployed additional detection units they had brought along, and re-mapped patrol shifts and rapid-response routes according to their new contingency plans.
The entire progression was so professional and efficient that the handing-over RDA officers could find no fault, merely remarking privately that this detachment was disciplined to a fault and almost completely silent.
Simultaneously, Vance's squad and Poly did not alter their original objectives due to the arrival of the new forces.
At the Hometree, Poly met periodically with Seze'tey, conveying the "Seekers of Knowledge's" ongoing support for the Na'vi in learning anti-stealth tactics. She provided selected, non-sensitive technological advice, such as methods to refine arrow manufacturing to enhance disruption effects against energy shields, or how to utilize certain indigenous plant extracts to create rudimentary tracking powders. These practical little tips further won the favor of Seze'tey and his followers.
Seze'tey also disclosed the latest internal dynamics of the clan to her: Tsu'tey's recovery was slow, and his influence was continuously shrinking in the face of sustained external pressure and the "tangible benefits" demonstrated by the cooperative faction.
Olo'eyktan Eytukan was increasingly inclined to adopt his advice and had begun reaching out to several other clans heavily impacted by the raids to explore the possibilities of joint defense and intelligence sharing.
"Allies from the sky—your assistance is tangible," Seze'tey told Poly at the conclusion of one meeting, his tone sincere. "Though those invisible demons still come and go like ghosts, our hunters are no longer as helpless as before, and our losses are diminishing. This proves the path is correct."
Poly merely nodded calmly, "Dr. Osiris hopes the cooperation will continue and bring greater stability."
Across the base and the RDA's sectors of activity, Vance, Dorio, and the others continued to operate under their guises as members of the "Seekers of Knowledge" expeditionary team. They interacted with low-level RDA technicians and soldiers, gathering information from casual chatter to monitor shifts in morale, perspectives on the new outsourcing contract, and rumors regarding high-level executive decisions.
Rebecca and Pillar occasionally loitered around the RDA recreation zones, exchanging knick-knacks brought from Night City for local information or supplies. Falco focused more on tracking the flight schedules and material transport patterns of the RDA aircraft. David and Valerie, along with their Iron Guard mechs, remained as a deterrent presence at the base, occasionally conducting public adaptability drills to showcase their strength while remaining largely detached from specific operations.
Osiris (the second avatar) orchestrated the entire web. Through the periodic reports transmitted by Calvin-77, he monitored the security operations of the Southern Flank sector to ensure the contract was strictly executed, while gathering first-hand data on critical RDA infrastructure.
He reviewed the preliminary concept documentation for the "World Soul Restructuring Project" submitted by Elendil, raising more concrete technical queries and requirements. He also kept a close eye on the progress of the initial research on the Predator prisoners back at the Death World base, alongside information synchronization regarding the gene-seed and Collegia Titanica projects from the main body on Necromunda.
The grand chessboard of Pandora had entered a new phase. Overt cooperation was deepening, and the "Seekers of Knowledge" had embedded themselves directly into the operational architecture of the RDA. Covertly, a long-term engineering matrix targeting the planet's consciousness was brewing. Meanwhile, Vance's squad and Poly, who maintained the vital nexus with the Na'vi, continued to provide surface-level legitimacy and intelligence support for it all.
The newly arrived Skitarii squad was like a solidly driven spike, anchoring itself into the political map of Pandora. Silent, efficient, and professional, they perfectly executed their roles as security contractors without displaying a single anomalous action that might invite suspicion.
Only Osiris and a select few core members knew that their internal loyalty and mandate had never wavered; they had simply donned a fresh coat of paint better suited for operating in this world. Everything was advancing smoothly and resolutely according to the adjusted deployment, paving an increasingly solid foundation for that far grander, and far more hidden, "World Soul Restructuring Project."